‘Miss Universe,’ searching for relevance

Beauty pageants certainly no longer capture the public attention like they once did, in the years before little girls grew up to be doctors, lawyers or secretary of state.

But give pageant organizers credit for at least trying to keep up with the times. Though their ratings are off and their rights cost a pittance, they’re adding new elements all the time to try to recapture the public’s interest.

So it is for “Miss Universe,” which airs tonight at 8 p.m. on NBC and Telemundo, hosted by two other members of the NBCUniversal/Comcast family, Bravo’s Andy Cohen and E!’s Giuliana Rancic.

Last year the pageant allowed viewers to pick one of the finalists through online voting, a way to draw in viewers who might otherwise not watched the show.

This year transgenders will be allowed to compete for the first time, thanks to a court challenge.

There has also been another change for “Universe” that will impact tonight’s ratings, but most likely not for the better.

Last year the pageant aired in September. Against minimal competition the pageant averaged a 1.6 adults 18-49 Nielsen rating on NBC.

Now it airs in December, and tonight it faces some tougher competition with the penultimate episode of Fox’s “The X Factor.”

A look at this week’s top TV draws

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19

Time

Network

Program

Description

7 p.m.

ESPN

“NBA Basketball” (S)

A battle for New York between the Knicks and Nets.

8 p.m.

Fox

“The X Factor” (R)

The remaining contestants have their final performances of the season.

8 p.m.

CBS

“A Home for the Holidays with Rascal Flatts” (A)

The 14th annual adoption awareness event, this year hosted by Rascal Flatts.